‘THE TRIUMPH SONG OF LIFE’ – A CELEBRATION OF THE EASTER STORY IN ESK

Church attendance is a central religious practice for many Christians.  However, whether a regular church goer or not, those who were present at the Somerset Civic Centre on March 28^th for Patrick M. Liebergen’s ‘The Triumph Song of Life’ were left in no doubt of their faith and Christian beliefs.   This Easter Cantata, the foundations of which were laid by the Anglican Church’s Reverend Loretta Tyler-Moss and in company with the Brisbane Valley Churches Together and the Esk Community Choir, presented the Story of Easter in word and song to a truly captivated capacity audience.

Before a seemingly suspended wooden cross on stage, a poignant symbol of Jesus’s triumph over death, His resurrection and gift of everlasting life, the Story of Easter, was set in motion by Reverend Loretta and in turn, members of the multi denominational Clergy.  Throughout the story of Jesus’s palm waving arrival in Jerusalem; the affirmation of love with a recreation of Jesus’s washing of his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper; Jesus’s trial, crucifixion and His resurrection, audience members were held in silent adoration, not the least being a response to the exalted singing by the Esk Community Choir alongside the outstanding accompaniments by Alexis, Ruth, and Suzanne. 

With the choir’s songs interwoven with each of the phases of the Easter Story, the story became a magnificent Cantata with music by some of the world’s greatest composers… Gounod, Mendelssohn, Handel, and lyrics to Beethoven’s triumphant Symphony No. 9, Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee.  And along with the uplifting final sounds of Lift High the Cross by the entire gathering, this was a stellar climax to the ‘tragic, sad, and glorious’ Story of Easter, thoroughly embraced by all who came to hear.

To Reverend Loretta Tyler-Moss for her invitation to choir and to all who shouldered the task of bringing a Christian community together to celebrate this story of Jesus’s sacrifice for all humanity, Alexis and her Esk Community Choir give their heartfelt thanks.

By: Sue Walker

HONOURING THE MUSIC OF GEORGE AND IRA GERSHWIN AND CHARLES GOUNOD

 

Vincit qui se vincit may have been a motivational catchphrase by some Roman choir member preparing for a singing exam way back in the1^st century BC but it is a maxim with no less relevance today and none more so than on the morning of Saturday 23^rd March when three courageous choir members, and later that evening, the Esk Community Choir Ensemble, were the embodiment of ‘He conquers all who conquers himself first’.

The day began in the kitchen at the rear of St Agnes’s Anglican Hall where three cotton- mouthed candidates, piano examinee Suzanne, and singers, Marina, and Susie along with one very competent accompanist, Alexis, awaited their chance to perform under the scrutiny of examiner, Mr Matthews Tyson who had come to give his sage advice and final marks to these nervous nellies.

Marina, Susan, Alexis and Suzanne with Matthews

Morning examinations completed, each emerged from the hall having replaced the veil of fear with an air of satisfaction and pride in what they had just achieved. Is this not the point of sitting examinations…setting goals, testing one’s limits, conquering fears, and devoting time and effort to improve one’s performance skills and music knowledge?

Examiner, Mr Matthews Tyson hails from Launceston, Tasmania where he is the Director and creator of the St Cecilia School of Music which has since 1974 been offering high-quality music education to students of all ages and developmental levels  Today, while predominantly providing tuition to students in the Launceston area, the school conducts examinations, masterclasses, and private lessons to students throughout Australia, New Zealand, USA, Italy, and Asia.  Notwithstanding Mr Tyson’s affection for his favoured little town of Esk, singing students and choir have been for several years, so fortunate to have reaped the benefits of his vast experience and musical knowledge.  Snatching one more opportunity to utilise Mr Tyson’s expertise, ‘Gounod Vs Gershwin- A Sundowner Soiree’ was the blueprint for an Ensemble examination-style concert with a delectable light dinner thrown in for a delighted audience.

One of Gershwin’s most recognised jazz creations, Rhapsody in Blue signalled the start of a catalogue of Gershwin hits, their successes largely due to the Gershwins’ songs’ enduring popularity.  But Not for Me, Love Walked In, The Man I Love, and I Got Rhythm just a few of the enticing rhythms, simple melodies and sophisticated harmonies which have stood the test of time, recreated throughout the Golden years of Hollywood and on this day in the Somerset Civic Centre’s auditorium which sparkled with a Sundowner Soiree theme.

Counterpoint to the style of the Gershwin brothers was the music of 19^th century French composer Charles Gounod, the writer of church music, songs, popular short pieces, and several operas, his most famous being Faust, two of the gems from which became a sublime selection of the Gounod repertoire performed by the Esk Men and Mixed Choir Ensembles. However, it was the Gounod /Bach arrangement of the celebrated prayer, Ave Maria, prefixed with an overture by the Ensemble’s ‘orchestra’ comprising Ruth on piano, Suzanne on Flute, and Marina and Nola augmenting with the sounds of organ and strings followed by a glorious rendition by the Ensemble which had the audience transfixed to the stage.

Voting for a winner in the Gershwin Vs Gounod popularity stakes had the audience ‘jury’ deadlocked.  However, if audience accolades, percentage results and final comments by Matthews Tyson were any indication, it was vincit qui se vincit ; a testament to months of commitment and determination to excel, a culmination of  Alexis’s belief in achieving impossible things, her unparalleled patience and talent, the choreographed tag teaming of two consummate accompanists, Alexis and Ruth and the honouring of two amazing composers whose music will always hold a special place in the hearts of many which emerged as winners.     

 By: Sue Walker

 

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER - 2024

 

World Day of Prayer is a day observed in more than 170 countries each year on the first Friday in March. Since its origins in 1887, it has been a day urging Christians, predominantly women, to observe this special day of spirituality and belief.  The theme, worldwide in 2024 was ‘Palestine – I beg you…bear with one another in love’. 

And so it was that on yet one more hot and humid day in Esk, large numbers of both women and men gathered in the cool comfort of St Mel’s Hall to learn about this ‘Palestine’ theme, firstly through the symbols depicted on both a consummately created illustration, and on the service booklet’s artwork…Three Palestinian women praying.  The olive tree, a sign of everlasting and abundant life; golden roots symbolising their quest for precious freedoms and rights; poppy flowers a reminder of loved ones who have given their lives for their country; the key a symbol of the hope to one day return to homes from which they were driven.  Hosted this year by the kindly women and men of St Mel’s Catholic Church, Three Stories from Palestinian women were echoed by three women of Esk, bible readings delivered by representatives of other Christian denominations, and prayers offered, all punctuated with the beautiful singing by the Esk Community Choir. 

In support of Christians in Palestine, ‘living stones’ encouraging all families with God’s word were a parting gift.  To complete an inspiring service, the delicious morning tea was a testament to the warmth of the Christian welcome to all those who came to celebrate and learn.  We of the Esk Community Choir would like to thank the ‘Angels’ of St Mel’s for their hospitality and the privilege of leading in song this memorable service.

By: Sue Walker  

AUSSIE…AUSSIE…AUSSIE…JOY! JOY! JOY! AT THE SOMERSET CIVIC CENTRE IN ESK

The humidity around south east Queensland had a ‘feel-like’ 90% on January 26th but there was definitely nothing but 100% enthusiasm when a whole bunch of very happy Australians and soon-to-be Australians gathered in the cool of the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk to celebrate Australia’s national day…a day for some which continues to give rise to debate and protest but a day when many still have abundant reasons for celebrating those values of resilience, respect, diversity and freedoms which have continued to shape this nation.

And who better than Lowood’s effervescent Brady Schultz, the embodiment of his ‘Healthy Lifestyles Australia’ to usher in the day with a comprehensive ‘welcome to country’ and an introduction to all the distinguished guests including Mayor Graeme Lehman, Hon. Shayne Neumann MP, Deb Frecklington, Member for Nanango, Councillors from the Somerset Region and the Somerset’s Australia Day Ambassador, Dr Bob McGregor.

And while the likes of ‘I Am Australian’ and ‘Waltzing Matilda’ may not have figured amongst the successful choice for Australia’s National Anthem, a snatch of each of these and others from David Lawrence’s arrangement of ‘Australian Medley’ are certainly synonymous with Australians everywhere and were delivered with gusto to a very receptive audience by the Esk Community Choir to herald the commencement of this day’s formal proceedings.

The large and diverse representation of new Australian Citizens, having taken aloud the Australian Citizenship Pledge and, with Citizenship Certificates in hand, were asked by emcee Brady Schultz, ‘OK, what’s the first thing you’re going to do now that you’re an Australian citizen?’ ‘ A Great Northern!! ’ …came the response by someone in the gathering …surely evidence of an emerging national identity! With a stirring rendition of Australia’s National Anthem led by the Choir, it was on with the ‘show’.

Somerset’s Australia Day Ambassador, Dr Bob McGregor, 2014 Qld Senior Australian of the Year, was a true reflection of what it means to be Australian. His four decades as a medical practitioner, specialising in Child Health, now retired but never stopping; his extraordinary lifetime achievements delivered in his address, including his years at Ipswich Hospital, his fund-raising accomplishments, his work in adolescent mental health, and his dedication to service to his community and family have become the stuff of legends.

Dr McGregor together with Mayor Graeme Lehmann then presented the Certificates of Recognition to the many worthy nominees for the Arts and Culture, Sports, Community Group, Event of the Year and Citizen of the Year Awards and to the eventual winners in each category, their medals, and certificates. Though all cannot be winners, these are the volunteers whose energy and time spent working for their community continue to make Somerset the wonderful place it is to be.

To Jo Maxwell and all the members of the Somerset Regional Council whose initiative made this day a wonderful day of celebration for all, Alexis and the members of the Esk Community Choir give their sincere thanks.

By: Sue Walker

RECONNECTING WITH MARGARET WITH LOVE AND SONG

 

Our Margaret may have lost her ability to move around with the spriteliness of yore and while her place of residence has gone from 8 Down Street, Esk to up in room 204 at a delightful new Home for the Aged in Orwell St Camp Hill, it is Margaret’s love of music and that for her choir which has never changed.  Nor has her ability to recall so many of the moments which have become the storybook of her life.  

Where once her Down Street shelves were brimming with trinkets along with treats for the choir members who would come for extra practices, her shelves are now an accumulation of keepsakes and kodak moments from her years as accompanist with the Choir.  Even now, downstairs in CPSM Care’s Recreation Room, Margaret’s own piano is a treasured showpiece.

It was with a heavy heart that after more than 12 years of her sublime accompaniments at the Choir’s Annual Christmas Concerts, Margaret’s circumstances prevented her being at this year’s concert in Esk.  Ergo, if you can’t take the lady to the concert, you take the concert to the lady and on December 8^th it was carloads of Choristers from Esk and surrounds who were thrilled to hit the highway and bring to Margaret their Christmas Concert repertoire along with many of Margaret’s concert favourites.  Taking ‘centre stage’ and surrounded by Christmas gifts, her doting family members, carers, and the capacity audience who filled the room, Margaret was completely (in her own words) “overwhelmed by it all...close to tears much of the time”!  An occasional furtive glance in Margaret’s direction would often catch those once dexterous fingers air playing on the imaginary keyboard…muscle memory, well intact!

It was such a joy to have been able to give this gift of song to Margaret who, right up until she couldn’t, was so intent on giving her all and so much more to her choir.  It is so true that the sum of a person’s life is not how or where one ends up but in the details that happened along the way.  From your ‘choir family’ to whom you have always been an inspiration Margaret, we give our love and thanks.

By: Sue Walker

Roving Singers at the lighting of the Esk Christmas Tree

 

If you’ve ever wondered when Christmas carols first came about, the answer lies in the 14th century -although their evolution dates back even further when, even before Christianity, it is thought that midwinter songs existed to keep up people’s spirits.

Although, certainly not midwinter but actually the end of a very warm summer’s day, eleven members of the Esk Community Choir lifted the spirits of all who attended the lighting of the Christmas tree in Esk on December 2. Feeling excited to be joined by Councillors, a fireman and a police woman, the roving carollers entertained young and old.

Thanks to the Esk Christmas Tree committee for inviting us to join in this special community event.

By: Ruth Skippen.

2023 -ANOTHER MAGICAL YEAR FOR THE ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR

 

Well, here we are again! Who’d have thought it? Certainly not Alexis who 45 years ago when she was a young girl of just 33 with a house full of kids and six ladies enjoying a singsong around her piano that her Esk Community Choir would still be going…nay vibrant and thriving all these years later!

It’s in the interests of holding strong this writer’s new year’s resolution for 2024 that she will be keeping her briefs brief; that rather than write a recap of this year’s events, it will suffice to say that it has been a year of many highs and some lows, and some lows that became highs but oh what highs we have had!

From those very early ‘wonder years’ through the challenges of performances of every genre, to pandemics and stumbles through a tech-savvy world, Alexis has laughed, cried… mostly happy tears… and allowed the rest of us to come along for the ride.  But her signature characteristic is her love and appreciation of her choir; her energy and empathy fused with a generous and kindly spirit which shines through at our rehearsals and reflected in our performances which have kept generations of audiences entertained for all these years.

To have gathered at the Colonial Café in the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre as a choir family to mark the end of this anniversary year was as fitting as it gets.  A big thank you to Ruth Sk. for shepherding everyone through a fabulous evening. It was only right that this choir all share in celebrating with delightful food, great entertainment, funny, insightful, and occasionally, sensible moments together.

Though it will never be forgot, this year is now ‘Auld Lang Syne’.  2024 is that new year to collectively decide to again move forward together and drink from that cup of kindness yet.  Bring it on I say!!!

Merry Christmas to you all.

By: Sue Walker

Linda von Nida 

Christine Caldwell

Di Chaplin

Jan Jennings  & Kathie Watts 

Eric von Nida 

Helene Hawes

Roland Cox

Alexis, Ruth, Suzanne

Caitlin, Di, Jo, Ruth & Judy 

Ruth and Alexis